Man badly beaten with vehicle anti-theft device

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2005 10:00 PM

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Juan F. Menefee, 44, of Oak Park was charged with Aggravated Battery after he allegedly struck a man on the head and on his left leg with "the Club," an anti-vehicle theft device, around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 13. The man, who suffered multiple skull fractures and multiple leg fractures, had allegedly been involved in a previous altercation with Menefee, whom he confronted at the rear of Menefee's residence in the 300 block of South Oak Park Avenue. According to Oak Park police, the man's injuries are not life threatening.

Battery/resisting arrest/possession

Joseph Cooper, 27, of Oak Park was stopped in the alley behind the 1100 block of Randolph just after 1 a.m. Feb. 18. He allegedly refused to turn over identification to the officer, then grabbed the officer's arm and tackled him. A custody search reportedly turned up a green leafy substance suspected of being cannabis.

Unlawful Use of a Weapon

George L. Davis, 29, of Woodridge, was stopped on suspicion just after 3 a.m. in the 200 block of South Austin. A subsequent pat down allegedly discovered a hand gun.

Auto burglary /theft from auto

Thieves were busy breaking into vehicles last week as well, with more than a dozen vehicles victimized in Oak Park. Nearly all the cars were entered by smashing a window and most incidents happened overnight.

Oak Park Deputy Police Chief Robert Scianna said that his department responded two weeks ago with increased deployment on the overnight shift.

"Obviously it wasn't enough," he said Monday. "We're re-deploying more people."

On Feb. 15, thieves broke the window of a car parked in the 200 block of North Grove and tore out an in-dash CD player. Estimated damage and loss was $2,200. In other incidents thieves:

? Broke into three cars in the parking lot at 930 North Blvd. overnight on Feb. 14. They broke the window of a Jeep Cherokee and stole a pair of designer sun glasses. Loss was $264. They also ransacked a Honda and Dodge Avenger, but took nothing. The following night another car was broken into, with no reported loss.

? Broke into a Chevy Tahoe in the 800 block of Wesley overnight Feb. 14 and stole a car stereo and 20 CDs. Loss was $625.

? Other cars were victimized in the 900 block of North Blvd. Feb. 14; the 600 block of Harrison St. Feb. 15; the 400 block of Oak Park Ave. Feb. 16; the 1000 block of Erie Feb. 17; the 400 block of North Austin Feb. 17; the 600 block of South Blvd. Feb. 19; and the 500 block of North Elmwood on Feb. 16.

Theft of auto

Three cars were stolen last week, including a 1993 Ford Econoline van parked in the 1200 block of Linden Ave. the night of Feb. 14. Loss was $6,000.

? A 1996 Plymouth Voyager was stolen from a parking lot at 25 Lake St. just after noon on Feb. 15. It was recovered in Chicago three days later.

? A 1987 Honda Accord was stolen from the 6000 block of West North Ave. the morning of Feb. 15.

Theft

Rickey Reed, 44, of Chicago was stopped around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 after he was observed carrying multiple bags and a green box. Allegedly among the contents were the wallet and miscellaneous credit cards of one victim, as well as a cell phone, CD player and shirt allegedly taken from a vehicle. Reed was also charged in a Feb. 6 garage burglary.

? A woman was pulling into her garage in the 800 block of Highland Ave. the evening of Feb. 17 when a man reached into her car and took her purse. It contained $100, house keys, identification and credit cards.

? A surveillance camera in River Forest Petco Superstore recorded a man sneaking into the manager's office around 3:40 p.m. on Feb. 15 and stealing two wallets stored there.

Burglary

Someone unlocked a hook latch on a service door of a garage in the 300 block of North Taylor overnight on Feb. 14 and entered a 1985 Mercedes parked inside. They stole a duffel bag containing workout clothes and shoes, sun glasses and $10 in currency.

Drug related arrests

Gregory L. Voss, 18, of Hanover Park, Roberto J. D'Avola, 19, of Barlett, and a Barlett juvenile were stopped for a traffic violation in the 400 block of South Ridgeland Feb. 18. A search allegedly found two baggies containing three packets of a substance suspected to be heroin, as well as two hypodermic syringes.

? Jerry P. Roundtree, 55, of Villa Park, was stopped for an alleged traffic violation the morning of Feb. 15. A name check revealed a suspended driver's license, and a subsequent custody search then allegedly turned up a 3-inch glass pipe.

? Adam Wilczewski, 19, of Chicago was stopped in traffic on suspicion Feb. 17 in the 1200 block of North Austin. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a substance that tested positive for heroin.

Criminal damage to property

Cars were spray painted over night on Feb. 19 in the 200 blocks of South Cuyler and South Ridgeland. That same night a vehicle had its rear window smashed in the 200 block of South Ridgeland.

? Someone shot four paintballs at a garage in the 1300 block of Park Ave. on Feb. 17.

Retail theft

Edward L. Taylor, 46, of Chicago was arrested after allegedly walking out of the Dominicks, 259 Lake St., with five packs of batteries the afternoon of Feb. 15. Due to a previous felony conviction, he was charged with Felony Retail Theft.

The above reported incidents are gleaned from the Oak Park and River Forest Police departments from Feb. 14 through Feb. 20. Not all incidents that occurred are listed. Anyone named in reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated.

?#34;compiled by Bill Dwyer

Thieves continue to take advantage of distracted individuals in Oak Park and River Forest in restaurants, stores and elsewhere. Police in both villages issued warning bulletins alerting the public to the continued threat.

River Forest Deputy Police Chief Kendra Sullivan said that some thieves are apparently well organized. Thieves were using the credit card of one victim less than two hours later at Tweeters, with the assistance of an Indiana driver's license that featured the photo of the woman using it, but the personal information of the theft victim. A woman lost her purse and wallet containing her driver's license and credit cards while shopping in River Forest Jewel on Lake St. the morning of Feb. 14. By the time she noticed the theft, her credit cards had been used extensively.

? Someone removed a wallet from a purse sitting on a table in the Cosi Restaurant, 1101 W. Lake, during the afternoon of Feb. 16. Loss was $230.

? Someone entered a classroom at River Forest's Lincoln school sometime during the day on Feb. 14 and stole a jar containing around $300 in coins.

? Someone removed a credit card from the wallet of an Elgin man after he left it unattended in the International House of Pancakes, 6501 W. North Ave. the afternoon of Feb. 16.

? A Westchester man had his business card holder and change purse containing credit cards and assorted IDs stolen sometime between Feb. 12 and Feb. 14.

A warning flyer was distributed by Officer Ed Pulfus to local merchants explaining how to best safeguard vaulables:

? Never leave your purse unattended

? Never hang your purse on the back of a chair

? If you are going to the rest room, take your purse with you

? Always keep your purse closed

? While dining, keep your purse between your feet on the floor, on your lap beneath the table, or if in a booth, next to your body

? Minimize the number of credit cards you carry

If you are the victim of a purse theft, get a good description of the suspect, immediately call 911, and immediately cancel your debit and credit cards.